Brightest Young Things

all words: Michael Garrett
all show photos: Chris Svetlik
all after-show photos: Shauna Alexander

And I guess even if it happened I wouldn't tell you as I don't kiss and tell, so just make your own assumptions (and if you did get laid, then kindly comment about it if you like - it's anonymous. I'm not).

To be fair I don't like the 9:30 club. If you know me you know this about me. I've had one good experience there in a decade of show going. Maybe it's just that I get comfortable in spots and so when I'm in a different one than usual I'm just uncomfortable. Not sure, and on deadline and don't have time to even begin to explore. Let's just say I've seen bands there I've seen in other places and they just fell flat. So, I DO keep that in mind when I'm there try to have a good time, Michael, I know you're uncomfortable. I will.

And before I said word one of my opinion of the Devendra show to those I knew were there I asked another opinion. Consensus from someone who went to the previous show and this one (granted it was only one other person, but let's say they represented at least 100 people, you know, for the sake of proving me right): It wasn't all that as the kids say. The kids don't say that anymore. In my mind they do. Well in your mind you don't know fuck all. This is true.

Throughout the show there were some incredibly touching moments. And I didn't see the performance at 6th and I (eye) which I heard was simply amazing: (read it here:clickclickclick)

And hey, I like music. I love music. For a time music was my life until a motorcycle crash kind of ended the old piano career. But whatever: I do like music and I like all kinds. And I liked Devendra, but it wasn't the grab you by the soul while punching you in the gut tear streaming everyone joyous Jenny! Jenny! I got one! I got one! (holds drink up to show friend she did, indeed, get one) dancing together performance I was hoping for.

Nor was it the entirely hippy music jam band spectacle I was dreading. There was one song that kind of ventured into jam band territory what, you were expecting me to take notes and provide a set list? No. You get references like "one song" and I started thinking shit, here it comes but it quickly backed away.

I really really needed to have a good time at this show. The holidays, which I love, always get me down. Blame that on the Army. How is it that seemingly everymotherfucker in the military is always deployed come Christmas? Maybe I tried to hard to force a good time. Not sure. Last minute I asked a mutual acquaintence to come and she agreed. Now she's friends of friends and we'd only spoken (well she spoke, I sat and drank because see above re: uncomfortable until I get comfortable) once before but figured it's a show, she's good company, it will be fun. So we met at the Cat, downed a couple whiskeys to get the party started as the ki...seriously, the kids don't say have the shit you say they say ok, downed a couple whiskeys because we both like whiskey and she's a shot for shot girl, actually talked, and walked over.

My scarf was flapping in the breeze. The chair is against the wall.

And at some point probably 3/4 of the way through the show proceeded to have the stupidest argument of all time's sake. I still say I'm right you always do and can't believe it even went on. It was one of those things where you're not even intending to argue and yet you do. I guess it's the same as being stuck on train tracks with an oncoming locomotive and you know you need to move but you just can't. Or something.

ThanksfortheshowI'mleavingBye.

Uh, ok.

Chemical antisymbiosis: This is found principally with soft metals. Two soft metals in mutual trans position will have a destabilizing effect on each other.

Now to keep the fair maiden's reputation intact, despite Libby's insistence that everyone (presumably even grandparents) would get laid after this show, that was none of my intention. I just didn't want to go alone. Of course it was also not my intention to have the stupidest argument of all arguments. But it happened. Ho Hum.

Svetlana, I warned you I wouldn't review the show but review the night.

Damn I really wanted a good night. Hasn't been the best month you know. Went from a breakup to my first checkup in 10 years in the beginning of November (yes, I'm one of those people) to: I'm very concerned, you're going to be very busy over the next couple of days. I need to get you into a biopsy and a PET/CT scan. (insert expletive) Hey Doc, they told me the next appointment is end of November. That's unsat you need to get in THIS WEEK. Let me make a call. Ok, you're coming in tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. To being given the all clear then getting into yet another stupid argument: Seriously? I just got the all clear, can't we celebrate today? We'll celebrate sometime later. I'm tired. I'll call you later this weekend: WTF GOOD is celebrating later? That's not celebrating, that's just doing something later. (Not sure why I expected MOOOOORE, we were broken up I learned later, or was informed I had casually glossed over and forgot).

Don't think I don't know I'm difficult. I do.

Salvaging the night, or trying to, walked back to the Cat, met friends, had Devendra discussion with 100 representative people, went to Velvet. Loaned my bicycle to a crash addict, then shit, I can't even remember if it was back to the Cat or what. I hope there are pictures of this part. It was fun. And then home eventually.

Alright not a single one of you gives a fuck about any of this, but I did warn that I hardly review shows with notes and tracks and influences.

He's one talented motherfucker. And there were touching brilliant moments. But I think he needs to not come to the 9:30. Stay at the Synagogue. Or somewhere else that's more intimate. I think he's a very intimate personality and it's really hard to maintain that when you're up on stage at 9:30. Or all of you can comment and tell me how fucking wrong I am about everything and how it was brilliant I wonder if I can slide the toe of my shoe into the corner of the parquet flooring - is it parquet - just right so that the angles of the corner are touching the sides of my shoe exactly....oh wait, this song's really good (rapt attention).

There also weren't many hippies there. Or frat persons. I did see some 60 year olds getting it on though. I swear to you I did.

And while I probably won't go back to the 9:30 to see Devendra (maybe he'll read and agree since they left the stage with no encore) again, I'm pretty damned sure I'll buy a couple of albums, and I don't buy albums. And no, I still don't have an ipod.

Previously in Live DC:

• 2/9: LiveDC: Theophilus London @ 930 Club
• 2/9: Best Weekend Bets
• 2/8: LiveDC: Kathleen Edwards @ 930 Club
• 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
• 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
• 2/7: LiveDC: Demetri Martin @ Warner Theatre
• 2/7: LiveDC: Augustana/ Graffiti6 @ 930 Club
• 2/6: LiveDC: All Things Go Presents: Reptar/ Casual Curious/ Fort Lean @ Gibson Guitar Showroom
• 2/6: LiveDC: TYCHO/ Beacon @ RNR Hotel
• 2/6: LiveDC: The Kills / Jeff The Brotherhood @ 9:30 Club